Quarterback Greg Hankerson wows in first spring scrimmage

Hankerson completed 16-for-20 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns

Hankerson completed 16-for-20 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns

Dieter Kurtenbach | Sun Sentinel

FAU sophomore Greg Hankerson is gunning for Jaquez Johnson's starting quarterback job, and after the Owls' first spring scrimmage Saturday, it looks like me might get it.

Hankerson was spellbinding Saturday, completing 16-for-20 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns — earning first-team reps by the end of the scrimmage (a move that FAU coach Charlie Partridge said was scripted) and putting the pressure on Johnson heading into the final two weeks of spring practice.

"There’s a clean slate with everybody coming in here," Partridge said. "Our depth chart truly was just a starting point. As guys prove on and off the field that they’re accountable then they’re going to have the best chance to play for us."

Hankerson looked quicker and had an extra bit of zip on his throws. Two of his touchdown passes came though tight windows — the kind of high-difficulty throws that would have likely been intercepted last season.

"[The game's] a lot slower. I can really see everything that's going on," Hankerson said. "I just approached [the practice] like it was a game."

The performance caught the eye of Partridge, especially compared to Johnson, was 8-for-16 for 138 yards and two touchdowns on the day, but looked out-of-sync at times.

"I’m happy with how Greg performed today," Partridge said. "He executed well today. Quez did some good things as well. That battle rages on."